First Love Church
These podcasts are messages that were preached at First Love Church in Ocala, Florida. We hope that you are encouraged and inspired by what you hear. We are a non denominational, egalitarian church that practices a generous orthodoxy. Find out more about our local congregation online at firstlovechurch.org.
#firstlovechurchocala #firstlovechurch #ocalaflorida #egalitarian #Jesuschrist #jesus #nondenominational #pastor #spirituality #christian #eucharist #opentable #tableofthelord #communion #community #spirit #divine #femininedivine #creeds #orthodoxy #equality #welcome #followers #disciple #love #faith #hope #help #recovery #newlife #peopleofpresence #holy #holyspirit #sacred #Sophia #wisdom
First Love Church
Guided Prayer - Returning To Love
Take a sacred pause from the noise of everyday life and enter into a space where your breath becomes prayer. This guided Christian meditation invites you into the ancient spiritual practice that saints and mystics have treasured for centuries.
With gentle guidance rooted in scripture from Philippians, we'll journey together through a series of breath prayers that transform ordinary breathing into holy communion. "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." These words create the foundation for our contemplative experience.
The meditation incorporates the beautiful rhythm of inhaling divine love and exhaling our response—"Lord Jesus, fill me with your love" as you breathe in, and "Let me become love" as you release. This simple pattern, practiced mindfully, creates a profound shift in your spiritual awareness. We explore visualization techniques that help you perceive Christ's love as "light, soft, golden, radiant" filling your entire being and washing away fear, anxiety and bitterness.
Perhaps most transformative is the realization that through this practice, "you are becoming the answer to your own prayer." The Holy Spirit works within you, making you a vessel of the very love you seek. As you experience how "to return to love is to return to God," you'll discover that divine presence is never far away—it's as close as your next breath.
Whether you're new to contemplative prayer or have practiced it for years, this meditation offers a sacred moment to reconnect with the source of all love. Experience how the ancient words "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me" can become "a holy whisper in the chambers of your heart." Subscribe to our podcast for weekly guided meditations that help you cultivate a deeper spiritual life through the transformative power of breath prayer.
This podcast is made possible, thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to support the ongoing work of First Love Church you can donate at https://www.firstlovechurch.org/giving
In the service of LOVE,
Pastors Dennis and Heather Drake
Welcome, beloved in Christ. Take a deep breath in and slowly let it go Again. Inhale deeply and release, and release One more gentle breath filling your lungs with life, and exhale. Here, in this moment, god is already with you, the spirit nearer than your own breath. You are safe, you are held and you are loved. Hear the word of the Lord. Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things and again, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight. Oh lord, my rock and my redeemer, let these words settle over you like gentle rain. With your inhale silently, pray, lord Jesus. Fill me with your love. And with your exhale, silently, pray, let me become love. Inhale, lord Jesus. Fill me with your love. Exhale, let me become love. Exhale, let me become love.
Speaker 1:Continue this prayer with your breathing. Allow the rhythm of the prayer and the breath weave together as you breathe. Picture the love of Christ as light, soft, golden, radiant. As you breathe, picture the love of Christ as light, soft, golden radiant filling your chest, your heart, your whole being. See it expand, flowing outward, washing away harshness, fear or bitterness. Every anxious thought, every heavy burden is lifted in the presence of this love beloved. To return to love is to return to God, for God is love, and this love does not condemn, but restores, renews and makes all things new. Lord Jesus Christ, son of the Living God, have mercy on me. Amen. Repeat this softly, with the rhythm of your own breath, as the saints and mystics prayed this across the centuries. Let it become a holy whisper in the chambers of your heart.
Speaker 1:Lord Jesus Christ, son of the Living God, have mercy on me, thank you now imagine this merciful love moving beyond you to your family, to your community, your family to your community to those you struggle with, to the weary world. Beloved, you are a vessel of holy love by the Holy Spirit. You are becoming the answer to your own prayer. As you breathe, say inwardly in love, I live in love, I move in love.
Speaker 2:I have my being.
Speaker 1:Slowly return your awareness to the room, Feel your feet upon the earth, your body supported, your breath, steady and calm. Beloved, you have prayed with your heart. You have returned to love. Carry this blessing with you. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight. O Lord, my rock and my redeemer, go in peace.
Speaker 2:Go in love, go in God.
